Thursday, 28 September 2017

When the gingham trend came along and I got a weird anti-reaction to it, and for a while I've been thinking of what to make that's not in every other closet out there. Then I remembered these amazing fitted gingham pants I had when I was 9 or so. They were lost on a family trip and I don't think I ever fully recovered, so I decided to reincarnate them. That's not what this tutorial is about though. With the leftover fabric, I made vol. 2 of this tie-back top, more structured this time.

I. Here's some indication of measurements. You need 2 each of the 3 pieces. The curved edges will create the bust shape. I'm a EU36/US4.

II. After cutting out two sets of the pieces, pin the edges together and sew.

III. Then cut out the back pieces that will tie together. You need 4 pieces in total, 2 for each side.

IV. After pressing the seams of the front pieces sewed together, you can see the bust area taking shape:

V. Then add the back pieces to the two completed front bits. Next you need to make the spaghetti straps. For a video of how to do that using a piece of cord or ribbon, see here. My straps were 53 cm long each.

VI. Next you can take one of the pieces and tie it around yourself, to see where the strap should go on the back piece. Mark the place and then pin the straps in their spots, making sure they are not twisted.

VII. Almost there! Now you just need to place the other top layer on top, right sides facing, so the straps stay in between, pin the sides, and then sew all around.. Making sure you leave a 5-10cm gap (I left it at the bottom in the front). After sewing you'll use the hole in the stitch to turn the top right side out...

.. But before doing that you'll need to clip any spots where there could be tension (I did a very small V shape at the front, so I clipped that, and also the curved sides of the back pieces).

VIII. Just a press all over, some hand-stitching to close the gap, and all done!